Get Out: Jan. 14, 2011

Friday

Jan 14, 2011 at 2:00 AM

Crater Lake snowshoe hikesThrough April: Rangers at Crater Lake National Park lead free snowshoe hikes at 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. The hikes last two hours and cover about a mile of moderately strenuous terrain in forests and meadows on the crater's rim. Hikers must be at least 8 years old and be in reasonably good physical condition. No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary. Hikers must have warm clothing and water-resistant footwear. Free snowshoes are available or hikers can bring their own. A limited number of hikers can participate in each group hike, so advance reservations are recommended. Hikes for groups of 10 or more can be arranged on weekdays or weekend mornings. The park's visitor center and the Rim Village Cafe and Gift Shop are open daily. For information or to sign up, call the park's visitor center at 541-594-3100.

KS Wild hikeSaturday, Jan. 29: Snowshoe hike up to the Rabbit Ears rock formation on the backside of Mount Ashland for an invigorating day in the snow. Weather permitting, this trek allows for expansive views of Mount Shasta, the Marble Mountains, the Siskiyou Crest and the Rogue Valley. This will be a moderately difficult trip covering approximately four to five miles. Meet at Evo's Cafe in Ashland at 10 a.m. Bring water, lunch, snowshoes and appropriate clothes. Mountain Supply outdoor store on the plaza in Ashland rents snowshoes for a reasonable rate, and they offer a 10 percent discount to KS Wild members. Group will hike in light weather, but strong snow cancels the trip. Call Laurel at 541-488-5789 for details.

Recurring mountain bike ridesEvery Tuesday and Thursday, Ashland: Rides organized by the crew at Ashland Cycle Sport, 191 Oak St., Ashland. Meet at the Plaza in Ashland at 6:30 p.m. Riders of all abilities are welcome on the Tuesday ride, which usually lasts until dark. The Thursday ride is usually longer (2 to 2 1/2 hours) and faster paced. Lights are highly recommended. Helmets and a safe, functioning bike are required. Call Scott at 541-488-0581 for further information. Website is at www.roguecycle.com.

Every Wednesday, Jacksonville: Starting at 6 p.m., Cycle Analysis hosts a two-hour ride on either the Britt trails in Jacksonville or nearby John's Peak, which has almost 200 miles of trails. All comers are welcome — no age or ability limits. Helmets are mandatory and lights are required during the winter. Contact Jana Jenson at 541-899-9190, or e-mail cyclea@internetcds.com.

Rogue Valley Audubon SocietyTuesday, Jan. 25: Local wildlife expert Pepper Trail will present a talk at 7 p.m., “Grand Aleutians: A voyage from Kodiak to Kamchatka,” which will include a look at parakeet auklets, red-legged kittiwakes and steller's sea eagles. The monthly meeting is held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2000 Oakwood Drive, Medford.

Bald eagle and winter waterfowl outingSaturday, Jan. 15: Mount Shasta Area Audubon and the River Exchange plan an all-day trip to Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The refuge hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States, along with an abundance of other raptors and birds. Attendees should be prepared with warm clothes, walking shoes, lunch, water, binoculars and walkie-talkies. Registration and a $5 outing fee are required. Call The River Exchange at 1-530-235-2012 for more information or to register. Attendees will meet at the junction of Highway 97 and A-12 (about 10 miles north of Weed, Calif.) and carpool to the Klamath Basin.

Project FeederWatchSaturday, Jan. 15: Help count birds that visit the feeders at Jefferson Nature Center with the help of Rogue Valley Audubon Society volunteers. The information collected is submitted to Cornell University's FeederWatch project, a nationwide bird monitoring effort. The program alternates weekends with the FeederWatch program at Ashland's North Mountain Park. Jefferson Nature Center is located at 2931 S. Pacific Highway, behind Harry & David Field and just before the bridge to U.S. Cellular Sports Park. For information contact Judd Hurley, 541-621-3918. Free.

Saturday, Jan. 22: Help count birds that visit the feeders at North Mountain Park Nature Center, 620 N. Mountain Ave., Ashland. The information collected will be submitted to Cornell University's FeederWatch project, a nationwide bird monitoring effort. The program alternates weekends with the FeederWatch program at Medford's Jefferson Nature Center. For ages 10 and up. Free.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, Feb. 22: The Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association has scheduled two public hearings to discuss a proposed trail system in the Ashland Watershed. The Ashland Watershed Master Trail plan includes a plan cooperatively developed by walkers, runners, bikers, equestrians and other interested users of the watershed. Both meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in the Gresham Room of the Ashland public library.

Thursday, Feb. 17: “Genetics of Noble Fir and Red Fir.” David Oline will present the results of an ongoing genetic study that is investigating the distribution and relationships of noble fir and California red fir. In particular, he will address the issue of the intermediate Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica shastensis) in our region, which the genetic data suggest is the result of hybridization. The talk is at 7:30 p.m. at Southern Oregon University, Science Building, Room 171. Refreshments served at 7:15 p.m.

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